Floyd Pride

WF Alumnus Wins Position with the San Diego SymphonyWilliam Floyd alumnus P. J. Cinque (Class of 2005) and a Juilliard-trained double bassist, recently won a position with the San Diego Symphony, a spot for which he competed among some of the world’s most talented musicians through several rounds of a rigorous audition before an orchestra committee and music director Jahja Ling. “I would like to sincerely thank the William Floyd Music Department for its dedication in nurturing my interest in music and for giving me the tools and inspiration to pursue my career,” said Cinque. “I was fortunate in my time at William Floyd to be exposed to some of the best and most passionate teachers, principals and coaches. It was inspiring for me as a student to share in the learning process with these individuals as they had so much to offer both as people and educators. The district also provided a multitude of extracurricular activities that further enriched my education. I am eternally grateful to have grown up in the William Floyd community and to have graduated from such an exceptional high school. The district truly has a lot to offer its students.” “The greatest compliment I can receive as a teacher is seeing my students happy in their success and realizing their dreams,” said Dr. Amy Mason Sckipp, Cinque’s orchestra teacher at William Floyd High School. “We, in the William Floyd Music Department, are extremely proud of P.J. This is an incredible achievement that illustrates his perseverance and dedication to music study and performance. We wish him well as he embarks upon this exciting stage of his career.” Cinque earned both a Bachelors and Masters degree in double bass performance from The Juilliard School. He has performed in major venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Alice Tully Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Cincinnati Music Hall, Suntory Hall, the Beijing Concert Hall, and the Shanghai Grand Theatre. In 2009, Cinque traveled to Japan to participate in the Pacific Music Festival and spent three summers at the Aspen Music Festival and School as a fellowship student. A committed chamber musician, P.J. participated in Denmark’s Thy Chamber Music Festival and the Kennedy Center’s fifth anniversary of the Conservatory Project. Outside of the classical music realm, he passionately explores music of different genres through arranging and performing with bands and other small ensembles, including his double bass duo, Low Bros.

About the San Diego SymphonyThe San Diego Symphony performed its first concert on December 6, 1910 in the Grand Ballroom of the then-new U.S. Grant Hotel. Now, the San Diego Symphony has grown into one of the top orchestras in the country both artistically and financially. With a current budget of $20 million, the San Diego Symphony is now placed in the Tier 1 category as ranked by the League of American Orchestras.

Pictured from left to right are William Floyd’s newest National Board Certified Teachers Christine Rosado, Mary Siano and Lillian Bilello with Kevin Coster, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Instruction and Administration.

Three William Floyd Teachers Obtain National Board Certification!Congratulations to three William Floyd teachers – Lillian Bilello (English, William Floyd High School); Christine Rosado (math, William Floyd High School); and Mary Siano (special education, William Floyd Elementary School) – for attaining National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). They were recognized by members of the William Floyd Board of Education at a recent meeting.Becoming a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) is the most respected professional certification available in teaching which provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and their schools. It was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. While teacher licensure systems set the requirements to teach in each state, completion of the NBCT signifies that teachers have voluntarily gone much further; and have developed and demonstrated the advanced knowledge, skills and practices required of an outstanding educator. Certification consists of four components: a written assessment of content knowledge, reflection on student work samples, video and analysis of teaching practice and documented impact and accomplishments as a teaching professional. The NBPTS is dedicated to ensuring that more students across the country can learn from teachers who have proven themselves to be accomplished educators.

The William Floyd High School students and their teachers who worked on the multi-sensory room (back row, left to right): Al'Lyah King; art teacher, Susan Plunket; Sophia Zoller; Stephanie Bondietti; Katherine Moya; Tasia El-Quhir; Nia Scott; and special education teacher, Christine Inzerillo. (Front row, left to right): Carolina Fuentes; Celina Cruz; and art teacher Theresa Bianco.

WFHS STUDENTS & STAFF COLLABORATE ON MULTI-SENSORY ROOMThe William Floyd Special Education Department and the William Floyd High School Art Department recently collaborated on a multi-sensory room, an inclusive space where students with special needs can engage and explore their senses. The room, designed for the high school’s 8:1:1 students and depicting an underwater sea environment, was painted under the direction of art teachers, Theresa Bianco and Susan Plunket. The William Floyd High School Best Buddies Club and the Student Government were also instrumental in raising funds to make this room possible.

“The interactive equipment provides a multi-sensory experience with visual, auditory, tactile, vestibular and gross motor activities,” said Christine Inzerillo, a special education teacher at William Floyd High School. “Students can sit on bean bag chairs while watching a light show on the wall or listen to music while bouncing on an exercise ball. Research has shown that these types of rooms can help improve student communication by their interaction with the surrounding environment.”

FOUR WILLIAM FLOYD TEAMS WIN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDSFour William Floyd athletic teams – girls varsity cross country, boys varsity cross country, varsity volleyball and junior varsity field hockey – received Section XI Outstanding Sportsmanship Awards for the Fall 2014 season. Section XI is the governing body for all high school athletics in Suffolk County. Teams earn these awards based on ratings that are submitted by opponents and officials throughout the season. Each team will receive a certificate from Section XI acknowledging this honor. Congratulations to the teams and their coaches: girls varsity cross country, head coach Jillian Sanders and assistant coach Richard Sinclair; boys varsity cross country, head coach Ed Noll and assistant coach Matt Hansen; varsity volleyball, head coach Jennifer Tufano and assistant coach Amy Weinman; and junior varsity field hockey head coach Eric Shapiro.

WFUT REPRESENTS AT HOLIDAY PARADE!

Pictured are the William Paca Arctic Warriors (left) and Ed Noll and Mike Barba (right) from Moriches Elementary School.

WILLIAM FLOYD TEACHERS RAISE $2500 IN POLAR BEAR PLUNGERecently, William Floyd School District staff members participated in the “Freezin’ for a Reason” Polar Plunge at Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai to benefit the Special Olympics of Brookhaven Town. Teams from William Paca Middle School and Moriches Elementary School braved the icy waters of the Long Island Sound to help support local Special Olympics athletes.

Participants from William Paca Middle School included Wendy Gottlieb, Susan Piraino, Lisa Borak, Jenn Engmann, Teri Busardo, Joanne Fucci, Deb Turchiano, Janella Walker and Donna Lauria (retired), who raised $1,875 in the plunge; Ed Noll and Mike Barba from Moriches Elementary School who raised $470 with support from more than 100 students; Nick Taylor, Chairperson, Committee on Special Education for the middle schools who raised $190; Kat Jumper from Tangier Smith Elementary School; and Gayle Lambert and Don Law from William Floyd High School.

The Special Olympics of New York has more than 64,000 athletes training and competing year round to compete in 22 Olympics-style events. Athletes and families are never charged to participate, therefore, the Special Olympics relies completely on fundraising.

Honors Band selections Anthony Hristidis (left) and Zachary Neikens (right) are pictured with Dawn Conefry, William Floyd Middle School Band Director.

TWO WFMS STUDENTS CHOSEN FOR ALL-STATE MIDDLE SCHOOL BANDTwo William Floyd Middle School trombone players – Anthony Hristidis and Zachary Neikens – have been selected to represent their school and their district at the annual New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA) All-State Middle School Honors Band festival next March in Syracuse, NY.

These two eighth-grade trombonists were selected from a group of more than 260 applicants nominated from across the state. In order to receive a nomination, student musicians must demonstrate musical talent, accomplishment, citizenship and responsibility. They must also have showcased outstanding musical ability on their New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) solo evaluation the previous spring.

The final selection of NYSBDA All-State Honors Band members is conducted by a committee of NYSBDA board members who carefully reviewed the recommendations, student NYSSMA solo evaluation sheets, essays and academic records.

“Congratulations to Anthony and Zachary for achieving this great honor,” said Dawn Conefry, William Floyd Middle School Band Director. “Both of these fine student musicians have distinguished themselves among their peers and will have the opportunity to perform and rehearse with the top seventh- and eighth-grade musicians from all across the state.”

Kristin McNamara (right) with friends celebrates finishing the NYC Marathon with her medal.

WILLIAM FLOYD REPRESENTED IN NYC MARATHONCongratulations to William Floyd employees Constance Lawson, a nurse at William Paca Middle School, and Kristin McNamara, a teacher at John S. Hobart Elementary School, who ran and finished the 2014 New York City Marathon held on Sunday, November 2.Ms. Lawson, who has now run a total of five marathons – the NYC Marathon, the Virginia Beach Marathon and the Chicago Marathon (three times), said that it was the most amazing [marathon] experience that she has ever had. “Nothing compares to the supportive New Yorkers lining the streets and cheering the runners on!” She plans on running the Boston Marathon in April 2015.Ms. McNamara, who started training for the marathon in June with 5 am runs, track workouts and long-distance runs, said that despite it being cold and windy, she was able to run her personal best marathon time by 23 minutes.

John S. Hobart Elementary students get ready to share their vocabulary words in front of their classmates and family members.

HOBART STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN VOCABULARY HAT DAYTo enhance their vocabulary while at the same time having a little fun, students in Grace Ryan’s, Matt Miller’s and Rebecca Gaddis’s fifth-grade classes at John S. Hobart Elementary School, participated in “Vocabulary Hat Day,” a fun and educational day based on the book “Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster.” Students were assigned a word that they researched and had to construct a sentence around. They also wrote out the word and placed it on their hats. Then on Vocabulary Hat Day, family members were invited to hear the students talk all about their words.

Students sing patriotic songs and wave American flags at the Tangier Smith Elementary School concert.

WFSD SALUTES VETERANSIn honor of Veterans Day, kindergarten- and first-grade students at Tangier Smith Elementary School in the William Floyd School District, held their annual Veterans Day concert and had the opportunity to express their gratitude to veterans for their service through the singing of songs and with the presentation of thank you cards.This annual event, organized each year by kindergarten teacher Wendy Gross, is filled with students singing patriotic songs such as “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “I Pledge Allegiance,” “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and more. In attendance were current and former service members from the American Legion Arthur H. Clune Post 1533 (Mastic Beach), the 106th Rescue Wing of the Air National Guard, as well as U.S. Army veteran and William Floyd alumnus Congressman-elect Lee Zeldin. New York State Assemblyman Ed Hennessey (also a William Floyd alumnus) and Suffolk County Legislator Kate Browning were also in attendance to thank our community’s veterans.

Additionally, the William Floyd School District held a Veterans Day ceremony at the Armed Forces Memorial in front of William Floyd High School. The NJROTC presented the colors, there were student vocal performances (William Floyd High School and Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School), as well as student speakers, Jen McDermott, President, WFHS Student Government, and Sebastian Santiago, a fifth grader at Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School.

Additionally, Robert Vecchio, President of the William Floyd Board of Education, after thanking our nation’s veterans for their service, announced that the first Long Island chapter of the “Our Community Salutes” program will begin right here within the William Floyd community. “Our Community Salutes” is a national non-profit designed to recognize and honor graduating high school students and their families who have made commitments to enlist in the armed services after graduation.

William Floyd High School students and teachers are pictured at the Stony Brook University Staller Center for the Arts.

WFHS STUDENTS ATTEND SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA AT STALLER CENTERThrough a partnership with Stony Brook University, more than 40 William Floyd High School foreign language and music department students recently had the opportunity to attend a live performance of the Grammy Award-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra at the Staller Center for the Arts.

“Known for their outstanding performances of Latin jazz and salsa, students were immersed in a unique learning experience that was not only exceptionally musical, but also culturally authentic and primarily in Spanish,” said Ryan Feldscher, Lead Music Teacher, William Floyd School District.

The event was organized by high school principal Barbara Butler, and teachers Amy Sckipp (music), Ryan Feldscher (music), Derek Robinson (foreign language), Esmeralda Soto (foreign language) and Carol Janowicz (foreign language). Special thanks to Stony Brook University and the Staller Center for the Arts for hosting the students and staff.

Moriches Elementary School students Tristan Nash (at the microscope) and Josiah Lors from Ms. Shari Costello’s first-grade class enjoy gazing into the microscopic world. In the background are Lavonnie Seymore (at the microscope) as Alisson Rivera and Devon Jacobsen wait their turn.

WILLIAM FLOYD OPENS FIRST STEM LABS AT MORICHES ELEMENTARYIn collaboration with the William Floyd School District STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Program, students at Moriches Elementary School have been learning about science in a new, hands-on approach through the implementation of elementary school science labs. Under the direction of a school STEM Inquiry Team consisting of teachers and administrators, students are participating in actual hands-on laboratory experiments where they can apply the scientific method. One such experiment is centered around popping various types of popcorn.

“The STEM Labs at Moriches Elementary School provide an opportunity for students to engage in hands-on, inquiry-based lessons that are generating enthusiasm and knowledge of STEM for students and teachers,” said Dr. Amy Meyer, STEM Educator, William Floyd School District. “We really want students to gain an understanding of why science is so important in our everyday lives.”

To help kick off the opening of these science labs, kindergarten- and first-grade students welcomed Dr. Aleida Perez, a virologist from Brookhaven National Laboratory. Dr. Perez spoke about the importance of science, what it takes to be a scientist and the tools that she uses in her work. Afterward, students had the opportunity to take an up-close look at some of those tools.

WFHS CHEMISTRY STUDENTS CELEBRATE MOLE DAYWilliam Floyd High School students enrolled in Terri Randall’s, Martin Palermo’s and Kristen Drury’s Regents chemistry classes celebrated Mole Day on October 23, which is a day observed in schools nationwide from 6:02 am to 6:02 pm to commemorate (Amedeo) Avogadro’s Number 6.02 x1023. Avogadro’s Number is a basic measuring unit in chemistry that represents the amounts of a chemical substance. Mole Day is part of National Chemistry Week which was held this year between October 19-25.

“Chemistry is everywhere, so as a department we look for opportunities to engage our students in relevant and authentic science experiences,” said Ms. Randall. “National Chemistry Week and Mole Day create additional opportunities for us to share our passion for science and support our collective desire for students to enjoy the process of learning.”

To commemorate Mole Day in Ms. Randall's and Mr. Palermo's classrooms, students participated in a hands-on inquiry experiment to determine the amount of carbon dioxide in Pop Rocks candy using the molar volume of a gas and solubility of a gas in water. Students dissolved the Pop Rocks in water and determined the amount of carbon dioxide that was trapped inside. At the end of the experiment, students used their calculations to dispel the myth that eating Pop Rocks while drinking a carbonated beverage could cause a person’s stomach to explode.

Students also created “Happy Mole Day” cards in Ms. Randall's classroom and presented them to William Floyd High School faculty and staff to help educate them about the chemistry Mole. Ms. Drury shared a Mole Day presentation and students created baked goods based on the Mole Day theme.

15 WFHS STUDENTS SELECTED FOR NYSCAME ALL-COUNTY FESTIVALFifteen William Floyd High School students have been chosen to perform this November at the NYSCAME (New York State Council of Administrators for Music Education) All-County Music Festival, an honors festival for students who demonstrate excellence on their instruments or with their voices.

“The students and their teachers have worked extremely hard to achieve this great honor,” said Ryan Feldscher, lead music teacher, William Floyd School District. “Only the top 11th- and 12th-grade musicians in Suffolk County are selected for this festival.”

Ms. Jennifer Colosa’s classes at William Floyd Elementary School spearheaded a “Socktober” sock and clothing drive to help the less fortunate. With the assistance of their fellow students at William Floyd Elementary School, they collected two carloads full of socks and clothing. Pictured with the students are Ms. Jennifer Colosa and student teacher Mr. Jonathan Germer.

WILLIAM FLOYD ELEMENTARY "SOCKTOBER" DONATION TO BENEFIT LESS FORTUNATEInspired by Internet star Robby Novak (aka Kid President) and his declaration that October should be “Socktober” and a time to serve the homeless, students in Ms. Jennifer Colosa’s third-grade classes at William Floyd Elementary School, decided that they wanted to celebrate Socktober by helping those in need through a sock and clothing drive.

To spread the word, students made morning announcements about Socktober and teachers showed Kid President’s video. Together, they collected hundreds of pairs of socks and other clothing, enough to fill two cars, which will help the less fortunate in their school and in the local community.

“My third-grade classes brainstormed ways that they could be community superheroes and truly make a difference in the lives of others,” said Ms. Colosa. “We'd like to thank the entire William Floyd Elementary school community for their support and donations.”

EIGHT GIRLS TENNIS PLAYERS EARN ALL-COUNTY HONORS!The William Floyd varsity tennis team under head coach Dave Pia put forth a phenomenal performance at the Individual Conference Tennis Tournament held last week at William Floyd. Out of 16 teams and 64 players, William Floyd finished in the top three spots for Doubles and in third and fourth in the Singles competition. Additionally, eight players – Kelci Henn, Lisa Lin, Kayla D’Addario, Antonette Viglione, Zoe DaSilva, Victoria Panicola, Emily Fernandez and Brooke Fernandez – earned a spot on the All-County Team.

In Doubles, the team of Henn and Lin defeated teammates D'Addario and Viglione in the finals securing first- and second-place, respectively. DaSilva and Panicola defeated a team from Mercy High School for third place. In Singles, Emily Fernandez defeated her teammate and sister Brook Fernandez, with each finishing in third- and fourth-place.

All eight girls will compete in the County Tennis Tournament at Smithtown East with the hopes of earning a spot on the All-State Team. Additionally, Christina Cali also earned a spot on the All-Division Team. Congratulations and good luck! Floyd Strong!

TWO WILLIAM FLOYD HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY MEMBERS NAMED MASTER TEACHERSTwo William Floyd teachers, Kristen Drury and Christine Rosado, were named Master Teachers by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo. They are among only 42 from the Long Island region and 319 from across New York State who will serve as teacher mentors charged with helping to support the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educators. According to Governor Cuomo’s announcement, Master Teachers will engage in peer mentoring and intensive content-oriented professional development opportunities throughout the academic year, work closely with pre-service and early-career teachers to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers and attend required regular cohort meetings and participate in and lead professional development sessions each year throughout the four-year program. "The Master Teacher Program creates a community of teacher experts dedicated to providing a first-rate learning experience for students across New York, and contributes to our efforts to attract and retain the best and the brightest in our STEM classrooms," Governor Cuomo said. "Investing in our teachers is investing in our students, and I am pleased to welcome and congratulate those who have already proven to be some of the highest-performing professionals in their field." William Floyd High School teachers Kristen Drury (chemistry and forensics) and Christine Rosado (algebra 2 and advanced placement calculus) expressed excitement and gratitude for being named among this prestigious list of New York State educators. “It seems more and more students are intimidated by science, technology, and mathematics when they should be pursuing it as an in demand, exciting and rewarding future career path,” said Ms. Drury. “It is my job as a science teacher to help instill the values of STEM education and develop interest and inherent curiosity in our students.” Ms. Rosado added, “The STEM disciplines are an essential part of our educational system and as STEM teachers we need to share our passion and use it to inspire and motivate our students in these areas. The Master Teacher program will give me an opportunity to further my own STEM knowledge and the correlation between the disciplines in order to become a more effective educator.” Additionally, both Ms. Drury and Ms. Rosado believe that the Master Teacher Program will afford them the opportunity to share ideas and collaborate with a variety of teachers from other interdisciplinary subjects with similar goals of inspiring students and sharing their love of the STEM disciplines.